A Review of the Current Status and Development Trends of Monkeypox POCT Detection

Monkeypox, a zoonotic orthopoxvirus first identified in 1958, re-emerged in 2022 as a global health crisis, with over 84,000 cases reported across 110 countries. This unprecedented outbreak underscored the virus’s capacity for human-to-human transmission and its potential to exploit gaps in diagnostic preparedness. Historically confined to Central and West Africa, monkeypox’s spread to non-endemic regions revealed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, particularly in distinguishing it from other rash-inducing illnesses (e.g., chickenpox, herpes) and in delivering equitable testing access. Current diagnostic gold standards, such as PCR, offer high sensitivity but remain centralized and resource-intensive, leaving low-income regions underserved. Emerging technologies, including microfluidic devices, CRISPR-based platforms, isothermal amplification, and AI-driven genomic surveillance, promise to revolutionize point-of-care testing and outbreak tracking. This review synthesizes the virology, epidemiology, and transmission dynamics of monkeypox, critically evaluates existing diagnostic frameworks, and explores innovations poised to address persistent challenges. By situating the 2022 and 2024 outbreaks within the broader context of persistent challenges presented by unpredictable zoonotic threats, this analysis underscores the critical need for scalable, accessible diagnostics to manage emerging risks and advance equitable pandemic preparedness worldwide.